Utility revenue leaks where
meter data and billing don’t sync.

Smart grids generate millions of meter readings every day. Your MDMS (Meter Data Management System) pumps data continuously — kWh, kVAR, peak demand, time-of-use windows. Manually processing this data is impossible. You need automated normalization, validation, and real-time rating.

OneBill’s meter-to-cash engine ingests usage data from smart meters or IoT devices via API or SFTP, automatically normalizes it, and applies complex rating rules — such as time-of-use (ToU), tiered brackets, demand charges, and reactive power penalties. Real-time provisioning means exceptions (reverse flow from solar, failed meter reads, outages) trigger automated workflows instead of manual tickets. Every kilowatt-hour is billed correctly, in real time, with audit-ready accuracy.

Modern utilities run multiple pricing models simultaneously. A customer pays a flat monthly fee for grid access and infrastructure, then variable charges for consumption based on ToU windows (peak vs. off-peak rates that vary by season). Some customers are also on demand-response programs where they get paid to reduce usage during peak hours. Your invoice needs to reflect all of this clearly.

OneBill’s multi-dimensional pricing engine combines flat subscription fees, variable usage charges, peak-load pricing, tiered brackets for conservation incentives, and even prepaid/postpaid combinations across different consumer segments. Entitlement management ensures each customer gets charged under the correct rate schedule, with automatic season/rate window changes. One invoice shows the breakdown clearly — access charge, on-peak consumption, off-peak consumption, demand charges, credits for demand response — so customers understand what they’re paying for.

Net metering (NEM) is complex because the meter runs both directions. A customer with solar generates 500 kWh this month but consumes 400 kWh from the grid. You owe them credits for the 100 kWh they exported, but the credit value varies by time-of-use window, by season, and by state regulation. Some states do “net metering 2.0” with demand charges applied to net usage. Other states are moving to “export compensation” models where you pay customers for energy they export at a different rate than you charge them for importing. Manual tracking is impossible.

OneBill integrates with solar monitoring platforms to track generation and consumption separately, then automatically calculates net usage and applies the correct credit rates based on state regulations and time-of-use windows. Subscription management tracks rolling credit balances month-to-month and year-to-year. The customer portal shows real-time generation, consumption, and net position. Invoices break down every transaction clearly — grid purchases, solar exports, credits applied, credits carried forward. Regulatory compliance is automatic; customer disputes drop 80%+.

Bill shock — a sudden spike in charges due to seasonal peaks, rate changes, or meter issues — drives call volume and complaints. A customer’s winter heating bill jumps 40%, they assume it’s an error, they call. Your support team spends an hour explaining ToU rates and seasonal demand charges. Meanwhile, bill payment rates drop and bad debt increases.

OneBill’s self-service portal gives customers real-time visibility into consumption, historical trends, and cost drivers. Customers can see their daily usage broken down by hour, by rate period, and by season. Automated alerts notify customers when usage is trending 20% above their 12-month average, giving them time to adjust behavior before the bill arrives. Invoices include a side-by-side comparison to the previous year and a usage graph. Integrated ticketing resolves disputes quickly with direct access to meter data and calculation transparency. Result: fewer calls, faster resolution, higher payment rates.

Utility tax is a nightmare. Every state and county has different rules: some apply sales tax on electricity, others don’t. Some have franchise fees (3–6% of revenue). Some mandate environmental surcharges, nuclear decommissioning fees, or renewable portfolio fees. When you operate across 5 states, manual tax calculation is error-prone and audit-risky.

OneBill integrates with global tax engines like Avalara, Vertex, and SureTax, plus direct integrations with state utility commissions. The billing engine automatically applies the correct regional taxes, franchise fees, environmental surcharges, and renewable portfolio charges based on the service address. Revenue recognition breaks down tax and non-tax revenue separately for regulatory filing. Every invoice is audit-ready; regulatory reporting is automated.

EV charging is becoming a new revenue stream, but it’s complex. A fast-charger draws 350kW — you need to bill based on energy delivered (kWh), demand charges (to manage grid impact), session fees, and time-of-use windows. Some customers are subscription-based; others pay per-session. You’re also managing roaming agreements where customers from other networks use your chargers and you split revenue with their provider.

OneBill integrates with EV charging management systems (OCPI/OCPP protocols) to capture session data in real time — duration, energy, demand, location. The billing engine automatically rates each session based on the customer’s plan (subscription + per-kWh, demand charges, ToU windows). Multi-level partner management handles roaming settlements automatically — you invoice the roaming partner for their customers’ usage, apply your margin, and settle monthly. Customers see real-time charging history and costs, incentivizing off-peak charging and reducing peak demand stress on your grid.

Disconnection for non-payment is regulated and litigious. You must follow state protocols: written notice (30–60 days depending on jurisdiction), offer to negotiate, opportunity to pay, confirmation before disconnect, reconnection fee. One missing step or wrong date and you face regulatory fines or lawsuits. Manual tracking across thousands of accounts is error-prone.

OneBill’s automated workflow engine manages the entire disconnection lifecycle. When an account reaches past-due thresholds, the system automatically generates compliant notices (with state-specific language), schedules disconnection dates, and coordinates with field operations. Payment recovery workflows attempt collection before disconnect — payment plans, installments, hardship programs — reducing actual disconnections by 30–50%. Once paid, reconnection is flagged automatically and field crews are dispatched. Audit trails prove regulatory compliance for every account. Disconnection rates drop; bad debt recovers.

Utility revenue leakage is massive. A smart meter fails to report usage for 3 months — you estimate based on history and bill $150. The meter actually read zero (equipment failure). You under-bill by $500+ but it takes 6 months to discover. Multiply that across 100,000 meters and revenue leakage is millions annually. Even worse: bad data creates cascading errors in rate audits and regulatory filings.

OneBill’s RevAssure360 module detects anomalies in real time. It flags meters with zero consumption for extended periods, unusual consumption drops, reversed meter registers, and data gaps. The billing engine validates every meter reading against historical baselines — if a meter suddenly reads 10x normal, it’s quarantined for manual verification before billing. Automated field work orders are generated for meter failures, reducing the time from detection to repair from weeks to days. Revenue leakage is caught within 30 days instead of 6 months.

Demand response programs incentivize customers to reduce usage during peak hours. A customer might get paid $50 to drop 2 kWs for 4 hours during a summer peak event. They also get a monthly rebate ($10–20) for enrolling. Some programs have tiered participation levels — basic gets one event per month, premium gets called weekly. Manual tracking of program enrollment, event participation, and compensation creates billing chaos.

OneBill’s subscription management tracks program enrollment and tier status for each customer. The rating engine automatically applies program credits and event compensation based on actual participation (verified against meter data). Customers on demand response programs see monthly credits on their invoice with full transparency — $X for program enrollment, $Y for 3 events participated, $Z for total conservation impact. Real-time metering ensures compensation matches actual load reduction, eliminating fraud and disputes.